Hmm Dilemma Pre Collection SL320

[DSLiverpool]

Cars getting inspected today by RAC, will collect on tues but it needs a A service.

No problem with that BUT it needs (in order to maintain the MB service history)

Park brake test
Flex coupling adjust and test
Fuel / air filters
Brake fluid change
Sparkies

as well as the A service

Quoted with discount £417

Dealer (indie) was going to do an oil change and reset the service as its only done 4000 miles since the B service in late 06 (has a full MB history)

I am thinking of getting £200 knocked off the car but woiuld be interested in other opinion pls

And should I get the gbox oil changed ?

 

[BTB 500]

And should I get the gbox oil changed ?

What's the mileage?

 

[DSLiverpool]

64k its done 4k since B service late 06

 

[BTB 500]

If it hasn't had an ATF change (this is not a scheduled service item) then yes, it's due.

 

[IanA2]

Agree with Bill re ATF. Regards extra 417 (plus ATF will be nearer 500) depends on whether you think you're getting a good car for the money you're paying. I'd be inclined to go for at least half.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

I would have suggested trying to get more than £200 off given the work that may be due. However as said above it depends upon how good a deal you feel that you're getting and how much money you've already put down as a deposit. If you've got a hefty deposit it will weaken your negotiation position.

 

[DSLiverpool]

The car is a good un, I have paid £9500 with £500 dep already paid and the agreement that anything rac man finds will be done.

I could get it all done at an idie but i like the thought of a full MBSH

Point taken on ATF

I will wait for the RAC inspection as really it could change everything (dealer is paying for it and I get a copy)

 

[A-AvantGarde]

The car is a good un, I have paid £9500 with £500 dep already paid and the agreement that anything rac man finds will be done.

I could get it all done at an idie but i like the thought of a full MBSH

Point taken on ATF

I will wait for the RAC inspection as really it could change everything (dealer is paying for it and I get a copy)

£9.5k sounds very good

Agree with you on the full MBSH, although some work can be done by a good specialist using original parts. If you're familiar with Mercedes Liverpool (Pall Mall) it may be worth venturing over the road to Mercedes Frenz (think they're called something else now). They're MB specialists, my Dad has used them for some non-servicing work, e.g. fitting wood / leather steering wheel, coding Nav system to car etc.

 

[DSLiverpool]

Yes I know MB Frenz over the road from Pall mall however Inchcape wont give me a stamp unless I get it all done with them - anyone know if thats correct ?

 

[glojo]

Yes I know MB Frenz over the road from Pall mall however Inchcape wont give me a stamp unless I get it all done with them - anyone know if thats correct ?

Why not get the work done by your reliable Indie and then get the service? Or are you buying it from the main dealer?

I would NOT buy a car that needs a service. It's your money, just threaten to walk unless they service the thing, putting right everything that is wrong.

Regards
John

 

[DSLiverpool]

Why not get the work done by your reliable Indie and then get the service? Or are you buying it from the main dealer?

I would NOT buy a car that needs a service. It's your money, just threaten to walk unless they service the thing, putting right everything that is wrong.

Its coming from an indie who are sort of selling it for a private owner, its not been used and its very original which is an attraction.

The indie was (on the basis it has done 4k in 2 years) going to do an oil / filter and assist reset only - its asking for a A service however when asking inchcape how much they had the car on record and said the work detailed above was mandatory to get the service stamp - is this a porkie ?

Al input has been appreciated as the moment of truth rapidly approches

NB - Insured fully comp today at £217 - bargain I thought

 

[glojo]

I'm hoping some of our more informed members can contribute here, but to me if a trader is selling a car then it is a trade sale and this sounds like a slight cope out?

A private seller is one thing but buying it through a trader is a completely separate issue.

Furthermore I don't like the idea of resetting a service indicator, but that is just me.

regards
John

 

[janner]

Flex coupling adjust and test

How do you adjust the flex coupling? Surely you just look at it and if it's knackered you change it.

 

[IanA2]

So is it a trade sale or a private sale?

 

[DSLiverpool]

Its a trade sale in that it was in the showroom as a privately owned car if they didnt sell it the owner would take it back. I am buying it as a trade sale on the basis of a full rac inspection and any findings are put right - I didnt expect it to need a £400 service but I dont HAVE to get it done at inchcape BUT I would want to because I am like that..

The flex joints check - I may have got the procedure wrong but its something they insist on - I cant understand if they can insist I get none service work done with them in order to stamp the book ?

 

[vincenz]

From what Dave has described in his posts it sound like its a sale or return

 

[IanA2]

Its a trade sale in that it was in the showroom as a privately owned car if they didnt sell it the owner would take it back. I am buying it as a trade sale on the basis of a full rac inspection and any findings are put right - I didnt expect it to need a £400 service but I dont HAVE to get it done at inchcape BUT I would want to because I am like that..

The flex joints check - I may have got the procedure wrong but its something they insist on - I cant understand if they can insist I get none service work done with them in order to stamp the book ?

The reason I ask if it's trade or private is the extent of comeback you have if, god forbid, in turns out to be a lemon. I have to say, I'm not keen on these "brokered sales", and were I you I would be insisting on a trade invoice with the protection that comes with it.

 

[DSLiverpool]

There is a invoice with it from the dealer, I am paying and buying from the dealer paying with a debit card after I have read the rac report and played with the roof and aircon for a few hours !!

At the end of the day Its a nice car with history but they should pay something towards the £400 bill and I will discuss this on tuesday - will update

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Yes I know MB Frenz over the road from Pall mall however Inchcape wont give me a stamp unless I get it all done with them - anyone know if thats correct ?

That doesn't sound right to me, the stamp should only relate to the service. Couldn't you get the other work done by the Indy (such as MB Frenz) and then take it in for the service - miraculously all the other faults are non-existent by the time Inchcape see it

Anyone else have any input for DSLiverpool? I don't believe the main dealer can insist that all the work be done by them???

 

[DSLiverpool]

Im off to inchcape (next door luckily) to ask face to face on this before I collect the car, I guess that were only talking about £60 diff between an indie and them doing the extra work above the service cost and I am a bit obsessive over brake fluid changes so would have done this regardless.

I will push for £200 min off the car - I spose I could ask for the oil and filter they would have used but its probably Halford own brand

Wish me luck...............